Check out our primer on the Scottish Highland Gathering and Games.
As Connor MacLeod would say, “There can be only one.”
He may have meant only one immortal “Highlander” warrior walking the Earth at a time, but the phrase can also apply to the singular, solitary, one-and-only Scottish Highland Gathering and Games in Pleasanton, which is back for its 152nd installment Labor Day weekend at the Alameda County Fairgrounds.
It’s a huge two-day festival, celebrating the homeland of bagpipes, fiddlers, castles, caber tosses, haggis and Groundskeeper Willie.
Here are the key details and tips on how to get the most out of the event.
WHEN >> 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
WHERE >> Alameda County Fairgrounds, 4501 Pleasanton Ave., Pleasanton.
GETTING THERE >> Parking at the fairgrounds is $10; BART shuttle service runs between the Dublin and West Dublin stations and the fairgrounds.
HOW MUCH >> $25 general for one-day admission, $35 for two days; discounts for youth, seniors and military; children 11 and younger get in free. Online ticket sales are closed. Tickets can only be purchased at the gate on event days, or from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and Friday in the lobby of the San Ramon Marriott. INFO AND DAILY SCHEDULES >> www.thescottishgames.com.
GAMES? WHAT GAMES? >> Throughout the weekend, watch very strong people attempt to fling cumbersome cabers (heavy tree trunks) end-over-end, “put” 17-pound stones that are heaved toward targets and throw huge hammers around, just because they can. “Heavy athletics” events have been held in Scotland for at least 1,000 years, possibly originating in Druid times, and have also been used as tests of strength and conditioning for Scottish troops.
TAKE THE KILTED MILE >> Anyone can enter — anyone in a kilt, that is — to run “The Kilted Mile.” It’s just what it says. A race around a milelong track ... in yer kilt! The well-ventilated running begins at 10 a.m. each day, with registration starting at 8:30 a.m. in the Grandstand area.
THE DANCING >> The Western United States Open Highland Dancing Championships will be held at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. both days in the amphitheater.
THE MUSIC >> Five stages of music will fill the fairgrounds throughout the weekend with bands including the traditional Scots-Gaelic group Albannach, Tempest, which serves up Celtic rock and world music and The Fire, which offers world-class fiddling, bagpipes, bodhran and the whistle. There are also plenty of pipe and drum bands on hand.
CLAN UP >> Forget that online DNA stuff. Whether you know your clan or you’re looking to discover your Scottish roots, head to a booth in the Clan Village for information about your Scottish heritage and genealogy.
VENDORS >> There will be traditional and modern cuisine from Heritage Foods, Oz Highland Farms, Taste of Britain and Ministry of Food, plus treats from Brown’s English Toffee and The Welsh Baker. Dozens of craft and clothing vendors will fill many of the fair buildings with artwork, pottery, jewelry, kilts and kilt accessories (sporrans, pins, sgian dubhs, hose, and ghillie brogues — you know you want some spiffy ghillie brogues).
WHISKEY TASTING >> For the over-21 crowd and an additional fee, samples of 100 different whiskies will be available in Building P.
OTHER ATTRACTIONS >> Upgrade to the upper class by buying a souvenir plot of Scottish land — which automatically grants you the legal Scottish title of Laird, Lord or Lady of Glencoe — from the Highland Titles vendor; take in the sheepdog trials, or get a gander at some Highland cattle, Clydesdales and Belted Galloways; meet Graham McTavish, star of “Outlander” and “The Hobbit” (he played Dwalin); and be sure to stay until closing — each day ends with the Grandstand Show, which includes the always-impressive March of the Massed Bands with more than 600 pipers and drummers.